Looking at my notes over the past few years, fall seems to be the time of year I start planning changes to this website.
Maybe it’s all those beautiful fall colors in the northern hemisphere that reminds me of changes and motivates me to update my website?
Anyway, in my efforts to streamline the website and prepare for migrating it from WordPress (more about that plan in another post), I’ve made some website changes and will remove one feature that may impact readers of this website.
Remove Twitter Cards
Since I no longer have an account on the platform formerly known as Twitter, and I’m fine with my content not being shared or optimized on that platform, Twitter Cards code is no longer included on this site.
For folks who want more background, Twitter Cards were used by Twitter to display an image in a post.
By adding code to a page, Twitter Cards provided website owners with the option to display an image, title, and description when a link was shared on Twitter.
Rather than only the link.
It’s been over a year since I removed Twitter Cards, but I believe I removed them by deleting my Twitter account info in the Jetpack Social plugin.
Added Fediverse Creator Meta Tag
Another change I’ve made, and one you may want to consider for your own site if you’re on Mastodon, is to add the fediverse:creator meta tag.
Launched in July 2024, the new fediverse:creator OpenGraph tag allows an author byline to display for links shared on posts.
The byline is linked to open the author’s associated fediverse account within the application.
The new tag can be used by any fediverse account, not only Mastodon. That includes:
- Threads
- WordPress (with the ActivityPub plugin installed)
- PeerTube
- Pixelfed
- Others
To add the new meta tag code to point to my account on Mastodon, I used All in One SEO plugin > General Settings > Webmaster Tools > Miscellaneous Verification.
I also enabled my Mastodon account settings to include the domain name to display in the Author Attribution section by:
- Logging into Mastodon
- Choose Edit Profile
- Choose Verification tab
- Add website domains you want to display
Removing Get New Posts By Email
For years, I’ve had a form on this site to encourage folks to subscribe to receive the lastest published posts by email.
I’m removing the form by the end of this month and recommending subscribers use an RSS (Really Simple Syndication) reader to receive new posts via this site’s feed.
Using an RSS reader allows you to follow your favorite blogs, websites, podcasts, and publications.
I’ve been using readers for years: Bloglines in the mid-2000’s, then Google Reader (until it closed in 2013), and now Feedly.
I had a paid Feedly account for years before I retired, but moved to the free version a couple years ago. Now I’m taking a closer look at NewsBlur as my new RSS reader.
You can learn more about RSS, how it works on websites, and readers from the excellent post Cory Doctorow published: You Should Be Using an RSS Reader.
For folks who want a shorter read about RSS, two articles by Lifewire (What is an RSS Feed?) and Lifehacker (Why Everyone Should Use an RSS Reader in 2024) describe what readers are and how you can use them.
Why am I removing the get new posts by email form, which creates a subscription to content on this site?
Because the subscription functionality is part of the WordPress Jetpack plugin, which includes over 30 modules.
I’m reducing my use of Jetpack modules in preparation for moving this site off WordPress to another platform.
And I don’t have any plans to set up a mailing list (yet one more technology platform to manage).
Summary
Other than removing the subscription form in the site footer, the website changes will have minimal impact for people who read content on this site.
Well, it will reduce the amount of email messages for current subscribers.
And doesn’t everyone want fewer email messages?
I’ll miss your regular emails , Deborah. I haven’t used RSS in a while.
Just wondering why you’re moving away from WordPress – does it have anything to do with the current drama?
Hi Claire,
Good to hear from you! How are you doing?
Yes, the current WordPress drama has me looking at alternative platforms.
I’ve had a few challenging years health-wise. I’m trying to get back to a regular pattern of work.
Thanks for the heads up, Debra. I will set up Feedly RSS for your blog posts. I am also curious to learn more about your move from WP and which app you will go to next, as I am thinking about my own platform as well. Looking forward to that post.
And apologies for spelling your name wrong, Deborah:-(
Hi Femy,
I have a number of changes to make on this site as I prepare for a move to the next platform. I have three different platforms in mind, but none exactly fit my requirements so far. Including being able to import my posts.
Femy, have you been looking at other blogging platforms?
No worries!